Somerset House

AOI Illustration Awards 2014

The picture that caught my eye most as I walked into this exhibition was Laurindo Feliciano's 'L'inutile est essentiel. This picture combines different mediums and dimensions to create a bold, surrealist piece.

"What do you get if you mix a lifetime’s collection of vintage books, magazines, postcards, letters, essays and records sleeves, with the rigid creative process of an architect? Well in Laurindo Feliciano’s case you get a fantastic collection of nostalgic, surrealist illustrations apparently".  Jack Daly - FormFiftyFive™/ UK

"Inspired by his own collection of vintage books, magazines, postcards and letters, he has created an impressive amount of beautiful works in the last years. All of his collages and posters share a certain nostalgic flair and a great passion for surrealism."  Nini Baseema - Lost at E menor/ AU

"Laurindo produces collages in the spirit and tradition of the Week Goodness by Max Ernst, but with a sense of temporal distance, spatial and cultural even stronger, offering contemporary small enigmas that relates to the question of memory, both individual and collective".  Alexandre François - La Blogothèque/ FR

Another piece of work that sparked my interest was Eoin Coveney's 'The Art of Superstition'. Peter Donnely exclaimed that the picture represented superstition itself, below is what he defined this as:

1. An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
a. A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith

in magic or chance.

b. A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.

This picture is interesting as the artist has managed to combine pen, ink, watercolour, acrylic, oils, pencil and digital work to create this illustration that appears to be completely done on the computer. He has created a strong sense of chiaroscuro to dramatise the scene and convey the amount of light coming from the rocket, which reflects on their faces, highlighting their theatrical expressions.

Here is Lesley Barnes' '1984'. This picture interested me as it is very large and pattern-like. I liked the use of colour and how it was quite repetitive to convey a crowded-like appearance. She has also combined people and objects, to imply that they are one. It also appears machine like and the eyes almost look like cogs in a machine, the reflects the new machines and inventions that were being created at this time. The background appears dusty and dirty to convey pollution from the machinery and factory. The picture as a whole has a very chaotic appearance, this is why I like it, as there is a lot going on. 

Above is Marcus Reed's 'Animal Alphabet'. I liked this piece as it is very creative. I like the way he has incorporated the letters with animals whose species begin with that letter. It could almost be used for a children's book. I think it is very clever and playful how he has done this. I also like his muted use of colour, and they give a sense of warmth, and add to this idea of playfulness.